A statue of William IV should have occupied the vacant plinth to accompany George IV on his horse, and Generals Havelock and Napier, who are on the other three. But William IV died without leaving enough funds, so it has stood empty for the best part of 200 years.

Sandy Nairne, director of the National Portrait Gallery, and chairman of the Fourth Plinth commissioning group, has described the proposals as "inspiring".

"We hope they will create a debate that reaches as many people as possible. Public discussion of sculpture, and the place of memorials and monuments today is part of the process of the commission”, says Sandy Nairne.

The models will remain on display until February in the foyer of the National Gallery where public comment cards are available. Public response is also encouraged through the Fourth Plinth project's website. So what’s the problem?

The problem for Art & Architecture user Fiona Montague of Leeds is that, in spite of Mr Nairne’s fine words, the public will not have real vote. The formal decision (like the decision who to put on the short list) will be taken be the usual group of art world “luvvies”. “This is not plinth idol,” said a spokesperson. But Ms Montague says:

“Whilst I am indifferent to the works themselves, the notion that the selection process for a work to be exhibited in this very public place should be undertaken by a committee seems inappropriate and out of touch.

This isn't an an Art Gallery or Museum. It is a public space over which many people - from tourists to demonstrators to revellers – feel a sense of ownership. If public opinion were to favour of a bronze statue of David Beckham, then who - in all honesty - has the right to deny it?

A decision -making process precisely along the lines of "Pop Idol" or "Restoration", perhaps matching ideas generated by the public to individual artists, and following the drawing up of plans to culminate in a vote by post, text message or email would do great things for the cause of public sculpture, public involvement with the arts and might even generate enough money to pay for the work to be produced.”

Click the reply button and let’s have your views! You'll have to register first in order to post a comment.

Last edited by Robert Cumming on Mon Jan 12, 2004 4:44 pm; edited 3 times in total

er, well, the people who have the right to deny the public's demand for a david beckham sculpture in trafalgar square are those people who have responsibility for the plinth. that doesn't seem too complicated to me. and - in all honesty - why on earth should the public be allowed to decide? what qualifications does the public have? the public almost always gets these things wrong (see recent examples: 'Grease' is the greatest musical, 'Lord of the Rings' is the greatest novel etc etc) - and of course it never is 'the public' anymore than a majority of voters plumps for a government... i won't drone on, i have to read Lord of the Rings (it's a marvellous soporific) to my children. my vote for the plinth? Willliam IV.

I suppose the person responsible for the plinth is Ken Livingstone - I think he should decide. I can't believe that anything that calls itself the 4th plinth commission could come up with an inspiring answer so I expect we'll get a toff on a horse, or maybe a label saying "Empty space by D. Hirst"

What about a nice statute of Johnny doing a Johnny? Or how about a parking space, there aren't enough of them?

He is our greatest painter and a location outside the National Gallery is completely appropriate.
He lived though the French Wars, followed them closely, and made many references in his pictures to our naval heritage, naval victories, amd maritime commerce. The Figthing Temeraire in the National Gallery is but one example.

So the location of Trafaglar Square itself is also entirely appropriate.

My next questionis...................
Which living (British) sculptor should get he commission?
Over to you..........................

[quote="robertcumming@onetel.net.uk"]Thank you for all your votes and comments.
How about this idea?

A statue of J M W Turner for the fourth plinth........

He is our greatest painter and a location outside the National Gallery is completely appropriate.
He lived though the French Wars, followed them closely, and made many references in his pictures to our naval heritage, naval victories, amd maritime commerce. The Figthing Temeraire in the National Gallery is but one example.

So the location of Trafaglar Square itself is also entirely appropriate.

My next questionis...................
Which living (British) sculptor should get he commission?
Over to you..........................[/quote]
what artist would dare to try and represent turner in such a 'traditional' way, he was a rebel of his own time, we can only be artists of our own, he has his monument in the work he made himself, unconventional, outragious, blurred and untouchable, on purpose.
what a wasted opportunity, if we are to consign our plinths to celebrating the past instead of the present or future, to use contemporary art to look forever backwards, we will leave a sad reflection of our own times for our children. is there no contemporay worthy of this plinth, is there no allusion or ambition for our future, something from the here and now to celebrate, for the next generation.
why does it take a century or two before society recognises bravery, genius, endeavour and leadership. is this is why beckham is more appropriate than hawkins and the glamour of posh more likely than the great domestic achievements of than my own dear mother and 'ken' is more likely than my dad.
is this why we cant trust the great british public who get manipulated, agitated, with the opportunity to actually affect something. organised by the self elected or selected committee (who still choose anyway) can the public really be trusted to truely emptomise their times, they are often kept so far out of touch with it, led by tabliod and broadsheet, media and net to a surrealism of their own time. there is a different public for every paper, i am a member of several by default.
maybe it does it take a century or two to see the real players but the fact that the plinth remains empty gives us hope, a monument to the unknown, an opportunity. the good thing about these times, i guess, is that it appears this particular plinth can not be bought as the others for family or political posterity. the fact that destiny itself prevented its original pretender should be remembered by the future commissioners and the artists.

p.s. i would love to have go but only as temporary piece. i suggest a pair of shoes, too small to walk a mile in and too big to stand still in. seriously, i am the 'living, sculptor the last writer asked for.

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I assume the individual in charge of the plinth is Ken Livingstone - I think he ought to choose. He is our most noteworthy painter and an area outside the National Gallery is totally suitable. Please visit our website at http://www.researchpaperpal.com

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